If Newcastle United fans were furious following Anthony Gordon's red card against Brighton on Sunday, their anger only grew when footage of a similar challenge the Magpies forward was on the receiving end of re-emerged over the weekend.

Gordon will now likely miss the Carabao Cup final later this month with an automatic three-match ban following his red card for lashing out at Brighton defender Jan Paul van Hecke, although the club could well appeal the decision. In truth, most fans expected to see Anthony Taylor reach for the red card after the clash, with few defending Gordon's challenge.

However, many have been quick to point to Liverpool defender Virgil Van Dijk's shoulder charge into Gordon in the 3-3 Premier League draw with the Reds at St James' Park in December. Gordon had just been denied in a one-on-one by keeper Caoimhin Kelleher, when Dutch star Van Dijk barged into the United forward, sending him sprawling to the ground.

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VAR opted not to intervene when the incident was not picked up by the match officials, with the Liverpool defender's challenge going unpunished. Fast forward three months and Gordon is now facing a three-match ban for a clash many fans have deemed far less aggressive than Van Dijk's.

Many took to social media to express their frustration, with one fan messaging: "To be fair, Anthony Gordon did nothing worse than Van Dijk has done on numerous occasions this season. Not a red card based on what has been let go this season. Joao Pedro tried to take someone's head off, but missed so it's OK."

Another posted on X: "Gordon was stupid and can totally see why a red was given but for me that was never a red - Van Dijk does that every week and gets nothing", while another posted: "Gordon getting a straight red for something Van Dijk does every single week. Make it make sense."

Unless any appeal overturns the decision, Gordon will now miss the Premier League games at West Ham and at home to Brentford, plus the Carabao Cup final . . . against Van Dijk's Liverpool.